Grass drying apparatus



March 25, 1947. NEWMAN muss DRYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 11, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 JOHN ERNEST NEWMAN ,Fnrrenl'of Filed Dec; 11, 1944 Figla.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 JOHN ERNEST NE wMA/V fiw'enl'or March 25, 1947. J NEWMAN 7 2,418,089

GRASS DRYING APPARATUS Filed D80. 11, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY March 25, 1947.

J; E. NEZWMAN 2,418,089 amass DRYING APPARATUS I 5 Sheets- Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 11, 1944 Jail/l EkNEST A/EwMA/y ATTORNL)! March 25, 1947. J. E. NEWMAN GRASS DRYING APPARATUS Filed 'Dec. 11, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J0/M/ smvssr Ale wM W raven/30 7.

Patented Mar. 25, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRASS DRYING APPARATUS John Ernest Newman, Cirencester, England, as-

signor of two-thirds to Donald Stuart Kennedy,

Andover, England Application December 11, 1944, Serial No. 567,677 In Great Britain November 22, 1943 Claims. 1

plurality of inclined guides for the ascent of the material being dried.

The invention has for another object to provide improved means for elevating the material along th guides, the several elevating means operating successively so as to give amore balanced load upon the driving motor.

Other objects and advantages of the inventionwill hereinafter appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 and 1a together represent a side eleva tion of the improved apparatus, as seen in section on the broken line AB-C-D of Fig. 2.

Figs. 2 and 2a together represent an end elevation of the apparatus, as seen in section on the line E-F of Fig. 1a.

Figs. 3 and 4 are details showing the drive to the grass-elevating means, Fig. 3 being a plan view and Fig. 4 an elevation.

As illustrated in these drawings, the apparatus is housed in a sheet-metal casing l0 provided with an arched roof I l, the interior being divided longitudinally and approximately along the center lin by a vertical wall l2 extending up to the same level as the side walls; another vertical wall l3, parallel to the first but of slightly less height and connected to it by a sloping cover I4, further divides the interior to provide two chambers of approximately equal width, the inner one If: being closed at the top by the sloping cover M and the outer one I6 being open to the space beneath the arched roof. The half of the casing which includes these two chambers is closed at both ends by vertical walls H.

The outer chamber [6 receives a supply of hot air from a furnace (not shown) located externally Of the casing, by way of a flue l8 conveying the hot air through the outer wall [9 of the casing just below the edge of the roof; a rotary fan 20 of propeller type, mounted in a circular hole or tunnel 2i in the adjacent interior wall [3 and driven by a shaft 22 extending through the outer wall, forces this hot air in mixture with air drawn over the sloping cover M from the other half 2 of the casing, into the inner chamber l5 from which it is delivered beneath th inclined guides on which the grass is supported.

These inclined guides, which are provided with longitudinal slots as described in my pending application already mentioned, occupy compartments in the other half of the casing and may project at the two ends for the feed and discharge respectively. If two inclined guides are provided, as shown in Figs. 1 and la, the first one may include a horizontal feed portionor platform 23, projecting beyond the casing, an

inclined portion 24 (set at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal, for example) and a horizontal transfer portion 25 extending from the upper end of the incline to connect with a shelf 26 running transversely between the center wall l2 and the other outside wall 21 of the casing; the second guide 28 will be wholly inclined (for example, at an angle of 20 degrees to the horizontal), its lower end being connected to the bottom of a vertical partition formed by a closure or check plate 29 extending down from the transverse shelf 26, and-its upper end being connected to the top of a closure or dead plate 30 at the end of the casing, where a shelf or chute 3| for the discharge of the dried grass from the second guide may be fixed. An opening 32 of suitable depth above the shelf or chute 3| is defined by another dead plate or closure 33 which may be hinged at 34 so as to rest lightly upon th grass as it travels over the shelf or down the chute. The discharge chute 3i may be hinged so as to vary the angle of discharge.

The guides 23, 24, 25 and 28 may be formed by flat-section members, extending side by side with air slots 36 between them, as seen. in Fig. 2, r

the ends of the individual members being connected to the shelves 26 and 3l by bolts 35, say 2 inches long, so that the grass has a fall from the guides to the shelves, This arrangement provides an air seal at the upper end of each inclined plane or guide, the seal being formed by a layer of grass of a thickness increased by the height of the bolts 35, but any grass which is partially drawn into the slots 36 can be freely discharged at th upper ends by the feeding movement of the elevating spikes.

The horizontal feed portion or platform 23 of the first inclined guide projects into a bin or trough 3'! adjacent to the end of the casing, the wet grass being forked or otherwise supplied to this bin over a chute 38 inclined at an angle of 45 degrees for example; the grass is carried over the feed portion 23 by spikes 39 extending ver- 3 tically through slots in the platform and is then elevated along the inclined portion 24 by similar spikes til extending at right angles to said inclined portion and operating through the air slots 36 therein, until it reaches the top of the incline, from which it is carried over the horizontal transfer-portion 25 by similar spikes 4| extending vertically through slots therein. The three sets of spikes 33, ill and M are mounted upon parallel bars 42, for example horizontal? angle-irons, supported upon a moving framework 43 of cranked shape, for example twoan'gleirons set on their corners in. parallel vertical planes and each cranked to'provide two horizontal lengths connected by an inclined length, in conformity with the shape of the guide. Two

' crank shafts 44 and 55, extending transversely of the first drying compartment 46 and below the inclined guide, carry the moving framework-t3 upon cranks 41 anda l9 set parallel to one another, so. that: the rotation of the crankshaftsiwill i fcausei the'framework i3 'to impart .a circular orbital motion "to? the spikes, as described-in my .lpendingapplication mentioned above.

iThe isecond inclined guide 28 is also provided '"with ai-setlof spikes for elevating the partly dried grass whichfalls upon its lower end-after tumbling over the transverse shelf 26 from the transfer portion tfii of the first guide; these spikes 59 are :likewise' mounted upon. parallel bars 56 'sup-;

por-ted uponia moving framework 5|, the latter I be'i-n 'straight and. carried by cranks 52. andx53 wo other'-crankshafts 54 and 55 extending sversely of thesecond drying compartment tioried cranksh'afts 44 and 45 by. connecting *iods erigaging p'arallel 1 cranks upon the exf fi'B' -andhaving th'eir cranks52 and 53" set par-y lel to' -one another. These two crankshafts 5t 'd 55 are -coupled togetherzand .to the first-' tre'mities oftheshafts; for example three. cranks Susanna 59 within the distribution chamber mo -cranks $9 and BI outside thecasing; h'e'se' oranks 51 -to 6I inc1usive will all be set parllel sdthat th e'four crankshafts'iflfi, Miami 5 1; 52'and' 53 carrying the respective frameworks 43 a'ridfi! for theelevating spikes-are 'pref- *"er ablyset"oppositely in pairs, so that :asone framework rise s f'or its spikes to elevate the grass tate in s'ynchronism, but the internal cranks;

upon one inclinedguide, the other framework will 'be fall'ing with itsspikes withdrawn from "the grass; thereby givinga more "even and haicompartment 55 is coupled by a connecting rod T5 If to the adjacent end of the other crankshaft 54"in this same compartment; the 'opposite'end ofthe crankshaft '54 is coupled by a connecting ir'ddjifid'tdf'the crankshaft at the lower end of the. firstin'clined guide and by an obliquely ar- :"ran'gewrod 69 "tothe" orankshaft' l5 near the upper end of thatgui'de. 'All the driving cranks 5'I tdJBFinclusiVe connected by these rods are set ffgipalallel'itoone another, so that the shafts all rot'atin' unison; being coupled together inpairs ,proximately over themiddle of the length'of the inclined portion-- 2'43 of the guide. .The' space i beby the moving frameworks 43 and 5|; however, as already stated, the internal cranks 41, 48, 52 and 55 carrying the respective frameworks are set oppositely in pairs, as shown in Figs. 1 and la.

The variable speed mechanism 66 is preferably of the type comprising a variable throw friction ratchet;"as shown, a counter'sh'aft"7.0,'*rotated by el-pulley H driven by the belt '65, carries a sliding cam or eccentric ii of varying throw, adjustable axially along the shaft by means of a striking fork i3,--and the driven crankshaft 55 is fitted with a frictional wheel Hi, the rim E5 of which is engagedby #a' iriction ratchet lever 16 held down-upon 'the-cam 12 by a spring 11. As the cam rotatesfitlifts the lever 76, causing a shoe l8 fittedto its other end to grip the rim of the wheel'itasdthat the latter is turned through a small angle at each upward stroke of the lever,

the"ex'tent of the movement being variable by shifting the cam #2 along the countershaft Hi;

on the return-stroke of the lever," the countershaft remains stationary, being held by' a friction pad or brake (not shown) engaging the wheel" 74 or its shaft. v

The larger part of the hotairdeliver'ed by the fan 2% tothe distribution chamber 15 passes freely through an opening !9 in the center'wall it to beneath the first inclinedguide 24 and its upper transfer portion 25 inthe first drying compartment $6; the remainder passes through'a second and smaller openingtil"in -the" center wall 2 to beneath the second "guide 28. The'jh'ot airwhich has traversed thewet material onithe lower part of thefirst'inclined?guide24,:"being highly charged with moisture marbej all'owed to escape to the 'at1nos'phere;'as.' describedfinmy pending applic'ationSerial No; 516,607 ;'f'or,this

purpose, the roof-space over"the"first' drying compart nentl tt is) divided by averticalpartition 8i ext-endingtransversely of the'casing-IiL aptween this partition and'the closed end I l.-of. the

- casing,-- adjacent-to the lowerepa'rt. of Ttheffirst .guide, is provided with i a horizontaloutlet. pipe 32 of large cross-sectional =.area; an adjustable flap 'fiii, hinged to the lower edge. of the-partition-Bl, hangs-down towards the mass of .grass travelling up the guide so that by-- adjustment of the angle ofthe' 'flap- 83 a larger or. smaller --length of theguide -is placed in communication --with the-outlet tiz-for escape of highly moist. air.

The hot air which has traversed the material won the .upperpart Of the guide Z l-and on the-horizontal transfer portion 25-at its upper-end, being :l'ess charged with moisture, is allowed -to riseover the sloping cover Hand "descend into theflair- 'mixing chamber it, being drawn into the latter by the' fan-suction for mixture with -the.. hot

: gases from the furnace'and recirculationlthrough the drying compartmentsythis air'current is shut ofi from .the escape to atmosphere bythe adj ust iable flap 83 .and vertical partitiontl.

The hot air which has passed-beneath the sec- 0nd inclined: guideiiil-and traversed the-partly :dried material thereon, being only slightly charged with moisture, is also allowed-to pass over the sloping cover It and-descend into the 'air.'-'mixing chamber *lt for recirculation.

The dried material discharged over the upper ond of the second-guide 28 may be cooled off by the -'entrance --of cold air admitted laterally through the grassiupon the shelfor chute 3l, un-

der the 'suctioneceffecii exerted by -the, fan;- 2 fl -this air then mingling with the air from the second guide.

What I claim is:

1. Grass drying apparatus, comprising two inclined guides for upward sliding movement of masses of grass, said inclined guides being spaced horizontally from one another and arranged for movement of the grass up the two inclined guides successively, mechanical means for elevating grass along said inclined guides in series, the upper end of the first of said inclined guides being at a higher elevation than the lower end of the second of said inclined guides, said inclined guides including apertures, means for blowing a gaseous drying medium beneath said inclined guides for flow through said apertures therein and through the ascending grass thereon, guiding means extending from the upper end of the first of said inclined guides to the lower end of the second of said inclined guides, the grass from the upper end of said first inclined guide tumbling down over said guiding means onto the lower end of said second guide, and means for operating said mechanical elevating means, said operating means includin driving cranks set in opposite phases for the respective inclined guides.

2. Grass drying apparatus comprising two inclined guides for upward sliding movement of masses of grass, said inclined guides being spaced horizontally from one another and arranged for movement of the grass up the two inclined guides successively, the upper end of the first of said inclined guides being at a higher elevation than the lower end of the second of said inclined guides, said inclined guides including apertures, means for blowing a gaseous drying medium beneath said inclined guides for flow through said apertures therein and through the ascending grass thereon, guiding means extending from the upper end of the first of said inclined guides to the lower end of the second of said inclined guides, the grass from the upper end of said first inclined guide tumbling down over said guiding means onto the lower end of said second guide, and mechanical means for elevating grass along said inclined guides in series, said mechanical means including two rigid frames extending adjacent to the respective inclined guides, spikes secured to said frames and adapted to extend through said apertures, a pair of crankshafts having parallel cranks for operating each of said frames, means for imparting rotary motion to said crankshafts, each of said frames including bearings upon the parallel cranks of one pair of said crankshafts, and the parallel cranks of one pair of said crankshafts being set in opposite phase to the parallel cranks of the other pair of said crankshafts.

3. Grass drying apparatus, comprising a roofed casing, a wall dividing said casing longitudinally into two parts, a parallel wall dividing one of said parts into two chambers, one of said chambers being open to the roof-space of said casing, a top cover connecting said walls above the other of said chambers, two inclined guides for upward sliding movement of masses of grass being arranged longitudinally in series in the other part of said casing, the upper end of the first of said inclined guides being at a higher elevation than the lower end of the second of said inclined guides, a transverse partition dividing said other part above the middle of the first inclined guide into two sections, the section above the lower end of said first guide having an outlet to the exterior, said guides including apertures, mechani cal means for elevating grass along said guides from the lower end of the first guide to the upper end of the second guide, guiding means extending from the upper end of the first guide to the lower end of the second guide, the grass from the'upper end of said first guide tumbling down over said guiding means onto-the lower end of said second guide, means for delivering a hot gaseous drying medium to said one chamber, means for blowing said medium from said one chamber to said other chamber, and passages for flow of said medium from said other chamber to beneath the respective guides for fiow through the apertures therein and through the ascending grass thereon, and the medium flowing through the grass on said second guide passing over said other chamber into said one chamber for mixing with the medium to be blown into said other chamber, and the medium flowing through the grass on the lower part of said first guide escaping through said outlet.

4. Grass drying apparatus, comprising a casing including sides, ends and a roof, an internal wall dividing said casing longitudinally into two parts, a parallel internal wall dividing one of said parts into two chambers, one of said chambers and the other of said parts being open to the roof-space of said casing, a top cover connecting said internal walls above the other of said chambers, two inclined guides for upward sliding movement of masses of grass being arranged longitudinally in series in the other part of said casing, the upper end of the first of said inclined guides being at a higher elevation than the lower end of the second of said. inclined guides, said guides including apertures, a transverse partition dividing the roof-space above the 'middle of the first inclined guide into two sections of unequal length, the shorter section above the lower end of said first guide having an outlet to the exterior, mechanical means for elevating grass along said inclined guides from the lower end of the first guide to the upper end of the second guide, guiding means extending from the upper end of the first guide to the lower end of the second guide, the grass from the upper end of said first guide tumbling down over said guiding means onto the lower end of said second guide, means for operating said mechanical elevating means, said operating means including driving cranks set in opposite phase relation for the respective guides, means for delivering a hot gaseous drying medium to said one chamber, means for blowing said medium from said one chamber to said other chamber, and passages for fiow of said medium from said other chamber to beneath the respective guides for flow through the apertures therein and through the ascending grass thereon, the medium flowing through the grass on said second guide passing over said other chamber into said one chamber for mixing with the medium to be blown into said other chamber, and the medium flowing through the grass on the lower part of said first guide escaping through said outlet.

5. Grass drying apparatus, comprising a casing including sides, ends and a roof, an internal wall dividing said casing longitudinally into two parts, a parallel internal wall dividing one of said parts into two chambers, one of said chambers and the other of said parts being open to the roofspace of said casing, a top cover connecting said internal walls above the other of said chambers,

two inclined guides for upward sliding movement of masses of grass being arranged in the other 7 part of said casing, said inclined guldes being spaced horizontally from one another for movement of thegrass uprthetwoinclined guides successively, the upper end. of the. first of-said inclined guides beingaat ahigher elevationthan the lower end :of the second .of' said inclined guides, said guides-including apertures, one of said inclined guides having. itslower end adjacent to an inlet in one end ofsaid casing, the other of said inclined guides havin its upper end adjacent to a discharge opening in the otherend of said casing, means for guiding the grass from theupper endof said .first inc1ined guide to the lower end of said second inclined guide, a transverse partition dividing theroof-space above the middle of the first 'inclined'guide intotwo sections, the section above the lower end of'said first:inclined guide having: an outlet tothe exterior, mechanical meansfor elevating grass along said inclined guides in series, said elevating means including spike-fittedframesmoving with a circular orbital motion in relation tothe respective inclined guides, the spikes of said frames extending through theapertures of .said guides with an upward movement "for elevating the grass, crankshafts operating said mechanical means,sai.d crankshafts having their cranks set in opposite phase relation for the respective guides, means for. delivering .a hot gaseous drying medium to said one chamber, means for blowing said medium from said one chamber to said other chamber, and passages for flow of said medium from said other chamber to beneath therespective guides for flow through the apertures therein and through the ascending'grass thereon; the

medium flowing through the grass on said second guide passing over said other chamberinto said one-chamber for mixing with the medium to -be blown-:into-said other chamber, and the medium fiowing throughthe grass on the lower partof said. first guide escaping through said outlet;

JOHN. ERNEST REFERENCES ,CITED' The following references are of record in the file of "this patent:

UNITED STATES; PATENTS 4. 

